Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

Sulforaphane suppresses angiogenesis and disrupts endothelial mitotic progression and microtubule polymerization

Steven J T Jackson1, Keith W Singletary, Richard C Venema

  • 1Medical College of Georgia, Vascular Biology Center, CB 3330, 1459 Laney Walker Boulevard Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

Vascular Pharmacology
|August 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Sulforaphane (SUL), a compound from cruciferous vegetables, inhibits new blood vessel formation by disrupting endothelial cell growth and division. This suggests SUL may act as a chemopreventive agent by targeting angiogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Sulforaphane (SUL) is a natural isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables.
  • SUL is known to induce phase II detoxification enzymes and disrupt microtubule polymerization in cancer cells.
  • Previous studies indicate SUL triggers cell cycle arrest in breast and colon cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Sulforaphane (SUL) on angiogenesis.
  • To determine if SUL suppresses endothelial cell proliferation.
  • To explore the potential role of SUL as a chemopreventive agent.

Main Methods:

  • Bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells were exposed to SUL (up to 15 microM) for cell cycle analysis and mitotic index quantification.
  • Immunofluorescence tubulin staining was used to assess microtubule polymerization.
  • In vivo studies involved daily SUL administration (100 nmol/day, i.v. for 7 days) to mice with VEGF-impregnated Matrigel plugs.

Main Results:

  • SUL (15 microM) induced G(2)/M cell cycle accumulation and pre-metaphase arrest in BAE cells within 24 hours.
  • SUL disrupted mitotic progression and perturbed microtubule polymerization in endothelial cells.
  • In vivo, SUL significantly suppressed angiogenesis progression, as indicated by reduced hemoglobin concentration in Matrigel plugs.

Conclusions:

  • Sulforaphane (SUL) inhibits angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation.
  • SUL acts on endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo.
  • Endothelial microtubule disruption and mitotic arrest by SUL suggest its potential as a chemopreventive agent.

More Related Videos

Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration11:13

Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration

Published on: June 9, 2023

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells09:03

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells

Published on: November 23, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...